LA Kings lose to rival Edmonton as playoffs approach- April 2023

In a crucial matchup as a season winds down at Crypto.com Arena, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the LA Kings 3-1 to take over second place in the Western Conference. It was a tight, low-scoring game, it was 1-0 after two periods with the only goal scored by Nugent Hopkins of Edmonton in the second. The Kings finally tied it up on a slap shot by Arvidsson midway through the third. That didn’t last long as they got called on a penalty two minutes later in which Leon Draisaitl scored his 51st goal of the season to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Edmonton added an empty net to make it 3 -1. Edmonton goalie Skinner was top-notch saving 20 of 21 shots as Phoenix Copley saved 30 of 32.

The Kings were shorthanded playing without a few key players, including Fiala &Valardi on offense and key defensemen Elder & Anderson. Connor McDavid showed his skill as the best player in the game now giving Edmonton some key shots and he assisted on the go ahead goal. The playoffs will be starting in the next couple weeks and the seedings are very important especially for home ice advantage.  More at www.nhl.com/kings .